Apparatus for filling containers



July 29, 1952 H. L. GllFFlN 2,604,780

APPARATUS FOR FILLING CONTAINERS Original Filed May 9, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet l I INVENTOR. BY W06 Mae/n 46a,

ATTORNEYS 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG.7.

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H L GRIFFIN APPARATUS FOR FILLING CONTAINERS July 29, 1952 Original Filed May 9, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 H. L. GRIFFIN APPARATUS FOR FILLING CONTAINERS July 29, 1952 Origina'l Filed May 9, 1940 W08 INVENTOR BY a M ATTORNEYS y 1952 H. GRIFFIN 2,604,780

APPARATUS FOR FILLING CONTAINERS,

F IG. IO.

fif I A INVENTQR. BY 62w Patented July 29, 1952 APPARATUS FOR FILLING CONTAINERS Harry L. Griffin, Rockville Centre, Y., assignor to The Nestle Company, Inc., a corporation of New York Application November 15, 1944, Serial No. 563,478

1 Claim. 1

My invention relates to mechanism for testing the weight of the filling of a container. The filling may be evaporated milk, sweetened or unsweetened, paints, oils, and powdered or solid or liquid material of any kind.

Another object of the invention is to test the correctness of the filling of the container, or to control the filling of the container, while the container is held in fixed position in a cradle which is mounted to turn about a horizontal axis. When I refer to a cradle, I include weights which may be fixed to or which may be adjustably connected to the cradle or to an arm or arms thereof. When the correctness of the filling of a container is being tested, the common center of gravity of the filled container and of the cradle may be located on the predetermined axis of rotation, if the container has been correctly filled, or said common center may be located directly above or directly belowthe axis of rotation. In said testing position the center of gravity of the container itself may be located on the axis of rotation, or directly vertically above or directly vertically'below the axis of rotation, so that the weight of the container per sewill exert no turning force. In said testing position, the center of gravity of the empty container per se, may be laterally offset relative to the axis of rotation, but this lateral offset is so slight as to eliminate any substantial inaccuracies which may result from diflerences in the weights of respective containers. Therefore, in making the test, the Weight of the container exerts no turning movement, or substantially no turning movement, relative to said predetermined axis of rotation. The invention relates particularly to cans or other containers of symmetrical shape, in which the center of gravity of the container coincides with its geometrical center. However, the invention applies to containers of irregular shape.

Another object of the invention is to provide means whereby the moment which is exerted by the weight of the contents of the container is caused toregulate the action of a filling machine orof part of a filling machine, such as a valve of the filling machine.

Another object of the invention is to cause the can or container to .turn about an axis which is located below the center of mass of the can, un-

der the moment of the filling material of the container, so that the container is moved sharply from a predetermined normal position to a second position, when the weight of the contents exceeds a predetermined limit.

Other objects of the inVen-tionwill be set forth 2 in the following description and drawings which illustrate several preferred embodiments thereof.

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the first embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a front elevation taken at the lefthand side of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a section on i-flof Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a section on 5--5 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is a section on 6'6 of Fig. 2.

Fig. '7 is an elevation on T -'l of Fig. 2.

Fig. 8 is a section on 88 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 9 is a 'side elevation, partially in section, showing a first modification.

Fig. 10 is a side elevation, partially in section, showing a second modification.

In filling bottles, cans and other containers with liquid or solid material, it is necessary to perform the filling operation very accurately, as otherwise there is a waste of material. For many purposes, as in filling cans with unsweetened evaporated milk, the can is not completely filled, as complete filling would interfere with the processing of the milk in the can. In other cases, as for example in filling cans with sweetened evaporated milk, it is necessary to fill the can completely. Experience has shown that the valve regulation of filling machines is fre: quently inaccurate and that accurate adjustment of such valves cannot be maintained over long periods of time. It has therefore been the practice to check up the accuracy of the filling machine by weighing selected cans or other containers. However, the weights of respective cans or other containers may vary substantially, although such cans or other containers are made by the same machine and as uniformly as possible. For example, in making cans for packing evaporated or condensed milk, the weight of the sheet metal may vary. This variation in Weight makes it even more diflicult to determine whether the can has been accurately filled.

According to the first embodiment of my invention, the can is turnably supported so that the can can turn around an axis which passes through the center of gravity of the empty can. This axis of rotation is preferably horizontal. The effect of differences in the weights of respective cans is thus eliminated. While the weight of one can may differ substantially from the weight of another can, it can be assumed; for practical purposes, that the center of gravity of an empty can coincides with its center of volume, because the effect of differences in thickness of the wall of a can is insignificant. The same'applies to bottles and containers which are made of glass or other materials, and it is to be understood that whenever I refer to a can, I include any type or shape of container, and I include containers which are made of any material.

According to another embodiment of my invention the filled can, which is wholly or partially filled, is tested while the common center of gravity of the filled can and of the cradle is higher than the horizontal axis of rotation of the cradle.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the can is supported so that its center of mass is ofiset laterally relative to the axis around which the can is mounted to turn. Said axis is preferably, but not necessarily, horizontal. The weight of the empty can thus exerts a moment on the can and its turnable support, and said moment can be counter-balanced by suitable biasing means. When the can is filled either partially or wholly, the weight of the filling material increases said turning moment. The turnable support of the can may be biased or balanced against said moment of the filling material so that the can will remain in a predetermined p-c sition until the weight of the filling material exceeds a predetermined limit. Whenever I refer to a filled can, I include a can or other container which has been filled either partially or wholly.

The axis around which the can is mounted to :i

turn may pass through the center of gravity of the can, or said axis of rotation may located below the center of gravity of the can.

The base i rests upon a pair of fixed studs 2 and upon a single adjustable screw 3, which is a 5.

leveling screw. A column '4 is connected to the base I or i integral therewith. The base i is leveled so that the column 4 is held vertical. As shown in Fig. 9, the arm i2 has a sleeve 52a in which a reduced upper end-portion ib of the column 4 is located. The top reduced end-portion of the part t!) is threaded, and a clamping cap 4a is connected to said threaded end-portion. This cap la clamps sleeve i211 rigidly against a shoulder of the column i. The arm 52 has the yoke shape which is shown in Fig. 2. At each end thereof the arm 12 has a depending yoke 2i. Each yoke 2| is associated with a knife-edge member l9.

As shown in Figs. 6 and '7, each knife-edge member 19 is integral with a pivot pin 22. The sharp edge of each knife-edge member l9 abuts the wall of a recess of a hardened steel insert 2%, which is suitably connected to the respective yoke 2|, by a drive fit or the like. A depending yokeshaped arm 23 has hollow bosses 24, in which the pivot pins 22 are located. Said bosses 24 are rigidly connected by set screws or the like to the respective pivot pins 22. The cradle It has bosses I ia. These bosses are split bosses, and the ends of each boss can be tightened by means of a tightening crew 25, so as to clamp said bosses Mo to the respective enlarged extensions 26 of the respective pivot pins 22. The longitudinal axis of each pivot pin 22 is offset relative to the longitudinal axis of its enlargement 2G. The split bosses Ma and the tightening screws 25 make is possible to adjust the inclination of the longitudinal axis of the cradle, while the pointer 18 is maintained in the normal vertical position. The pointer rod 28 is connected to or it is integral with the arm 23. A part of the pointer rod 28 is threaded, and the weight 29 is adjustably mounted on said threaded portion. The pointer Ill of the pointer rod 28 is associated with 4 a fixed scale 8. The cradle M and the 23 are thus supported. on the sharp edges of the members 19, which are turnably supported on the inserts of the depending yokes 2i of the arm As -lOWll in Fig. i, said scale 2 is of angular shape, and it is connected to the base I by means of screws 39. The shaft 5 is mounted turnably in a bore of the column i, and it has the usual bearing collars i and. 8. The shaft 5 is provided with a knob 6. The shaft 5 also has the angular stops H and Ha, which can hold the pointer IL of the pointer rod 28 from moving, when said pointer is in its vertical position.

The leg 55 of the cradle i4 is provided with brackets Hi, to which a threaded rod I! is connected. The weight 8 is adjustable on the threaded rod ii.

The can C is located so that its geometrical center, which in this case coincides with the center of mass or center of gravity of said can, is located on the axis of rotation of the cradle it, which is indicated by the line d-cl in Fig. 6. The sharp edges of both knife-edge members 19 coincide with this line dd.

The embodiment of Fig. 9 is substantially the same as that of Fig. 1, save that in the embodiment of Fig. 9, the leg l5a of the cradle has brackets Ida, to which a threaded rod 1 la i connected. The weight its is adjustably mounted on the threaded rod l'ia. Fig. 9 shows a sealed can which has been correctly but partially filled, although this device can be used for determining whether a can has been completely filled. I will first consider the case in which it is desired partially to fill a can with a predetermined quantity of filling material. In such case, if pointer i0 is vertical, the level of the filling material may be respresented by the line c-c or by the horizcntal line or plane which passes through the point 83. The line bb is a vertical line which passes through the horizontal axis of rotation of the cradle. The center of gravity of the empty can is on the axis of rotation. If a can has been partially filled so that the level of the filling material is represented by the horizontal line or plane which passes through the point 63, the weight H3, or the weights [3 and Mia are adjusted, so that the common center of gravity of the can and of the filling material and of the cradle is located on the vertical line 17-22, if the can has been correctly filled. Said common center of gravity is located directly vertically below the axis of rotation. The vertical distance between said common center of gravity and said axis of rotation is regulated by adjusting the weight 29. After the apparatus has thus been adjusted, the test can is located on the cradle while the pointer I0 is held vertical by the stops H and Ila. If the test can has been underfilled, the common center of gravity of the can and of the filling material and of the cradle is located to the right of the vertical line b-b so that when the stops II and Ila release the pointer Ill, said pointer will turn towards the broken-line position indicated by Illa. If the test can has been overfilled, said center of gravity will be shifted to the left of the line bb so that the pointer will swing towards the position indicated by i022, when the stops release the pointer It]. The center of gravity of the cradle can be vertically adjusted by shifting the weight 29. If it is desired to test whether a can has been completely filled, a completely filled can is first located in the cradle. The weights l8 and [8a are then adjusted so that thecommon center of; gravity of the'empty can;and of the filling material which completely fills the can, and ofthe-cradle islocatdJvertically below the axis of rotation 'The can-which is to be tested is then placed". on the cradle-If the testcan has not been completely filled-the pointer 'lllwill swing towards the position Illa, when the stops are released;

In Fig. 10, the longitudinal axis of the mpty can, which passes through its center of gravity, is indicated by the line 3I." -When the canis in the testing position shown in Fig. 10, the center of gravity of the can is at the same level as the horizontal axis of rotation of the cradle.

The axis of rotation of the-cradle is located on the'line32a, which is offset laterally rela ive to the center of gravityof the can= Otherwise, the construction of the cradle is the same as that previously illustrated. The arm 23 of the cradle is provided with a lateral arm 32 Which has a fixed or adjustable weight 30 at one end thereof. The adjusting weight 34 can be longitudinally shifted on the rod 32.

The embodiment of Fig. can also be used to test whether a can has been partially filled with the predetermined quantity of filling material, or whether'the can has been completely filled. This test can be made prior to or after the can has been scaled. I will first take up the case in which the can is to be partially filled with a predetermined quantity of filling material. A can is filled with said predetermined quantity and it is located in the cradle. When the pointer in is held in the vertical position shown in Fig. 10, its vertical axis is represented by the line 32a which passes through the center of rotation of the cradle. The line 3! passes through the center of gravity of the empty can and also through the center of gravity of the filling material. When the pointer I0 is vertical, the top surface of the filling material is in a horizontal plane. The weight 34, or the weights 34 and are then horizontally adjusted, so that the common center of gravity of the empty can and of the filling material and of the cradle is located on the line 32a. The lateral distance between the'lines 3i and 32a is relatively small.

The adjusted clockwise moment of the cradle then balances the counterclockwise moment of the can and of its filling. Said adjusted clockwise moment of the cradle is designated as the balancing moment. I determine said balancing moment by making a test with a can or container which is one of a series of commercially similar cans or containers.

In the embodiment of Fig. 10, if the can under test has been underfilled, the balancing moment exceeds the moment of the filling in said narhorizontal and vertical planes, when the filled.

container is in stable equilibrium.

The vertical distance between said common center of gravity and the axis of rotation is regulated by adjusting the weight 29. As an example, and without limiting the invention, the

can whichli's to be tested-maymave: a: heightxof 3% inches, anda diameter .of;2%2 inches',.:and such canis to be 'filled with -14. /g. .ounces.of .un-.- sweetened evaporated milk. :In suchscaseithe lateral distance between the line's x3l and J 32a should not. exceed about -in'ch.;-- The variation in weight of the zone of the empty canwhich is located between the vertical planes which pass through the lines 3| .and 32a, is so slight as to eliminate any slight error which may thus arise. Hence the moment of the filling material greatly exceeds the moment of the can, and the moment of the filling material determines the direction in which the can turns in unison with the cradle, from the initial test position. Due to the adjustment of the apparatus, the filling material shifts thecradle from its .initial. testposition, only if-"the'volume of said filling materialvaries from a predetermined value. 1

In order to test whether a can has been completely filled, using the embodiment of Fig. 10, a completely filled can is located in the cradle and the weight or weights of the cradle are then adjusted so that the common center of gravity of the can and of the filling material which completely fills the same, and of the cradle, is located on the line 32a. If the can which is being tested is incompletely filled, said common center of gravity is located to the right of the line 32a and the pointer ID will swing to the left.

The cradle will turn until the common center of gravity of the can and of its filling material and of the cradle will be located directly below the axis of rotation. The are through which the cradle thus turns is regulated by regulating the vertical distance of the center of gravity of the" cradle below the axis of rotation. The scales of Figs. 9 and 10 therefore give a direct reading of the difference between the predetermined filling of the can, either total filling or partial filling, and the filling of the can which is being tested.

I have shown numerous preferred embodiments of my invention, but it is clear that numerous changes and omissions can be made without departing from its spirit.

This application is a division of my application Serial No. 334,104, filed May 9, 1940. This has been issued as No. 2,362,997, dated November 21, 1944.

I claim:

For use in testing the weight of the filling of a rigid container which has a longitudinal axis on which the center of gravity of said container is located, a cradle-support, a cradle which is pivotally connected to said cradle-support by pivot means, said pivot means having a transverse and substantially horizontal pivot axis, said cradle having walls shaped and adapted to support said container and to maintain said container in testing position which is fixed relative to said cradle while said cradle is turned around said pivot axis, said cradle being turnable to a position in which said longitudinal axis is vertical, and said walls being shaped and adapted then to support said container in said fixed testing position, said longitudinal axis being offset laterally relative to said pivot axis and the center of gravity of said container being at substantially the same level as said pivot axis when said container is in said testing position and the longitudinal axis of said container is vertical, the horizontal lateral distance between said vertically disposed longitudinal axis and said pivot axis being less than the width of said container when it is in testing position, a weight which is located laterally relative to said pivot axis, said weight being laterally adjustably connected to said cradle, and another weight which is located under said cradle and is connected to said cradle, said other weight biasing said cradle to remain in a normal position in which the longitudinal axis of said container is vertical in its test position.

HARRY L. GRIFFIN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 501,401 Billig July 11, 1893 557,140 Munson Mar. 31, 1896 766,535 Sharp Aug. 2, 1904 Number Number 15 69,641 452,826 552,297

Name Date McAnulty et al May 16, 1911 Dungan et a1. June 16, 1914 Pomeroy Apr. 20, 1915 Jenigar Jan. 18, 1916 Stugard Dec. 8, 1925 Murdoch Oct. 5, 1937 Buckner et a1 Sept. 5, 1939 Ayars Apr. 21, 1942 O'Neil Dec. 15, 1942 Griffin Nov. 21, 1944 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Austria Aug. 25, 1915 Great Britain Aug. 31, 1936 Germany June 11, 1932 

